Harare – The Harare Magistrates’ Courts have been a hive of activity this past week, with multiple cases involving unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition linked to armed robberies, particularly those targeting Mukuru Money Transfer outlets. The courts are currently grappling with a complex web of individuals allegedly involved in hiding weapons and possessing illegal ammunition.
In the latest development, Annamarie Louise Bertram, a 43-year-old Harare resident, appeared before magistrate Ruth Moyo yesterday, facing charges of unlawful possession of ammunition. Bertram was apprehended on November 29th and subsequently released on US$100 bail. As part of her bail conditions, she is required to continue residing at her given address and is prohibited from interfering with State witnesses.
According to the State’s case, the incident occurred at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on November 29th. A security officer, Simbarashe Chitabura, was on duty when Bertram placed her bag on the luggage scanner as she prepared to board a flight to Cape Town, South Africa. The scanner detected metallic objects within her luggage, prompting a physical search.
During the search, Chitabura allegedly discovered three live rounds of ammunition and five bullet heads concealed inside a small Smarties sweet tube. These items have been submitted for forensic examination. The court heard that the forensic results could potentially link Bertram to serious offences, providing irrefutable evidence that might incentivise her to abscond and evade trial.
This case emerges against the backdrop of ongoing investigations into a series of armed robberies targeting Mukuru Money Transfer agencies. In a related case, Tamara Tikiza and Shepard Maisiri appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo last week, facing allegations of concealing firearms used in these Mukuru Money Transfer armed robberies. They were not asked to enter a plea and are being charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The court was informed that detectives from CID Homicide Harare received a tip-off indicating that Clever Chada had instructed his wife, Erinita Chingosho, to hide several firearms used during the commission of multiple crimes. Chada, already in custody since his arrest in January in connection with a spate of armed robberies in and around Harare targeting Mukuru Money Transfer outlets, is now facing fresh charges.
The police were alerted that the firearms had been moved to Tikiza’s home for safekeeping. Acting on this information, detectives raided Tikiza’s residence on Saturday and questioned her about the firearms. Tikiza admitted to receiving the firearms from Chingosho and being instructed to hide them. She then informed the police that she had taken the firearms to Maisiri’s home.
Tikiza subsequently led the police to Maisiri’s home, where they uncovered a black plastic bag buried in his garden. Inside the bag, police found a cache of weapons: an AUT 6.5mm pistol with serial number B309360, a Browning pistol with serial number 249567, and a Patented Colt pistol with serial number 06309.
Further compounding the situation, Clever Chada, 42, appeared before magistrate Ruth Moyo at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts, facing new charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. This is despite the fact that he is already serving a sentence for armed robbery.
Prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu informed the court that on November 21, 2025, detectives from CID Homicide Harare received information linking Chada to a stash of firearms believed to have been used in a series of armed robberies targeting Mukuru Money Transfer outlets earlier in the year.
The prosecution alleges that Chada, who was arrested in January 2025 in connection with those robberies, instructed his wife, Erinita Chingosho – who is currently on the run – to conceal the weapons. Chingosho is alleged to have taken the firearms to the home of Tamari Tikiza for safekeeping.
On November 22, detectives visited Tikiza’s residence, where she reportedly admitted receiving the weapons from Chingosho on Chada’s instructions. She then led the police to her nephew, Shepard Maisiri, who had hidden the firearms.
Both Tikiza and Maisiri have implicated Chada as the owner of the guns and the mastermind behind their concealment.
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